Domination. That word conveys a certain fundamental reality – Scottie Scheffler used the 2024 PGA Tour season to clearly separate himself from all competitors.
Scheffler’s results this year have widened the gap to Grand Canyon proportions.
The 28-year-old won seven times – something not achieved since Tiger Woods in 2007 matched that same number. Scheffler also garnered the gold medal at the Paris Summer Olympics with a come-from-behind win and a sensational final round score of 62.
Given the depth of elite level fields competing globally, Scheffler, like Woods before him, played at a superior level beyond all others. In addition, Scheffler padded his considerable bank account.
In 2024, Scheffler has earned $29.2 million in prize money, shattering the record he established last year. He also pocketed a pair of bonuses: $25 million for the FedEx playoffs and $8 million as the leader in the Comcast Business Tour Top 10. He’s earned $62.2 million in total this year.
Keep this in mind, of the eight signature events staged by the PGA Tour, Scheffler won four of them.
He also added his second major triumph winning at Augusta this past April at The Masters and became the first golfer to successfully defend his title at The Players.
In the last 15 majors played – dating back to the 2021 PGA Championship – Scheffler has finished in the top ten 12 times and in the top five 6 times with only one missed cut.
The only downside came with his early morning arrest at the PGA Championship at Valhalla prior to the start of the second round which subsequently was reversed after local officials realized the mistake they had made.
His overall play was steady through the year – something of a concern from 2023 as his hot pace that year slowed – and he ended matters with total finality in winning The Tour Championship and capturing the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Scheffler played in 19 events, winning seven and finishing in the top ten 16 times with two runner-up finishes and no missed cuts.
How good was his play in certain key categories?
Scheffler led the tour with the most rounds in the 60s – 49. He also ledswith nearly five birdies per round and had the best scoring average for front nine and back nine play.
Couple that with his impressive hitting greens in regulation stroke with an average of nearly 74% – translating to just under 14 greens in the regulation stroke.
The concern with Scheffler has always been centered on his inconsistency when putting. The 2024 season showed marked improvement although a glaring four-putt during the final round at The Open Championship at Royal Troon resurrected concern that the flatstick was again the kryptonite that could severely impact the Superman aura he has consistently demonstrated.
Scheffler’s ascension was duly noted when selected as a Captain’s pick for the 2021 Ryder Cup matches at Whistling Straits. Scottie’s golf skills were front and center when paired against Jon Rahm during the opening singles matches with a resounding 4&3 match play margin and which started the onslaught that catapulted the USA to a thorough beatdown of Team Europe.
From that specific moment the lift-off for Scheffler has been consistent with an ever-steady rise with over 100 weeks as the sports top-ranked player.
What comes next?
Securing Scheffler’s legacy will come with increasing his major championship win total. He has two – both at The Masters. Undoubtedly, the familiarity with Augusta National could well mean more green jackets taking place. But, Scheffler understands clearly that having the capacity to win at the other three venues which are rotated yearly is what ultimately will determine how high a stature he commands.
Next year’s majors will be at the following venues – Masters / Augusta National Golf Club (GA); PGA Championship / Quail Hollow (NC); US Open / Oakmont, (PA); and The Open / Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland).
The competitive landscape at the global level of professional golf is also seeing the arrival of the next generation of talented players. Ludvig Åberg, the talented 24-year-old from Sweden, has climbed the ladder quickly and is ranked 5th in the world. There are others under the age of 25 looking to make a name for themselves and with the internal restructuring by the PGA Tour the fluidity of such new players becoming more prevalent will only increase.
On the flip side are the more noted players– Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, Brook Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson who have won multiple majors titles and are seeking to remain key fixtures in 2025 and beyond.
Scheffler’s game plan for the majors will be an interesting one to watch. He received criticism for not going over to Scotland a week sooner for the Scottish Open in order to acclimate himself to links golf before competing in the following week’s Open Championship
The competitive fire within Scheffler has not abated and likely will only ratchet up further. He has stated money is not his driving ingredient but winning whenever he tees it up.
Scheffler has put together a winning team with veteran caddie Ted Scott handling his bag and noted instructor Randy Smith providing an ever-watchful eyes on the continued development of the world’s number-one player. On the home front Scheffler and his wife Meredith welcomed their first child in 2024 and the high school sweethearts have put into motion a loving bond providing Scheffler with renewed energy and focus when returning to competitive golf from the home front in Dallas.
When Woods won seven times in 2007 it appeared the major championship record of Jack Nicklaus with 18 wins would be seriously challenged by Tiger. That did not happen because of a number of derailments – injuries and self-implosion through serial infidelities.
Nonetheless, by a comparable age of 28 Woods had won eight majors and 39 PGA Tour events. Scheffler’s path to greatness will likely follow a different direction and likely with lesser win totals when held against Tiger.
However, it’s critical to point out that each year Scheffler has pushed himself further up the mountain with even more accolades of achievement. While nothing is ever assured in professional golf – the soaring nature of his accomplishments points to a man with a clear mission to go beyond whatever he has already one.
For those seeking to push him off the pedestal he occupies now they had best elevate their respective golf games to a far higher level. What is clear is that when Scheffler is firing on all cylinders there is no one in professional golf who can beat him.
Make no mistake about it, the elevator Scheffler is riding upwards now has no top floor ceiling.
Those seeking to derail that reality had best be prepared for the juggernaut in motion now.
Superman Scheffler is indeed flying high above all others.
Related: Tiger, Tiger – His life, as it’s never been told before
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